Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On 30 June 2021, I announced that adjustments would be made to the 2022 leaving certificate and junior cycle examinations. As in previous years, adjustments were developed in conjunction with the leaving certificate advisory group, which is important. This group includes representation from students, parents, teachers and schools. Details of these adjustments were issued to schools in August 2021 to ensure that students and staff could familiarise themselves with any changes. These arrangements acknowledge the disruption faced by this particular cohort of students because of the Covid-19 pandemic. I consider that these arrangements are proportionate to the students’ experience and loss of learning and are educationally appropriate. The adjustments ensure that the overall structure of exams remains intact but allows for greater choice for students. The level of adjustment will be similar to that applied by the assessment arrangements for junior cycle and leaving certificate examinations in 2021, as announced in December 2020.

As part of the adjustments for the 2022 exams, I also announced that an alternative set of leaving certificate examinations will be run in 2022, shortly after the conclusion of the main set of exams. These exams will be limited to certain students who are unable to sit the main set of exams due to close family bereavement and certain other categories of serious illness, to be determined with due regard for the principles of equity, fairness and integrity, which govern all aspects of the exam system.

The State Examinations Commission will issue further details regarding the 2022 examinations, guided by prevailing public health advice, which is an important consideration. There will be further engagement with stakeholders through the advisory group on planning for the State examinations, and with other stakeholders as appropriate, in advance of any detailed announcement.

See this speech in context